How to Control Anger

“If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” – Chinese Proverb

It is very difficult to be angry in a right manner. All anger is not bad, though most of the time most anger is to be evaded. Anger is justifiable when it is directed against an evil action against others and to save a human being from unnecessary torture or violence.

“A perfect mind in a perfect body” is a famous proverb. Hence, if your mind is to function properly, it is absolutely necessary that we must avoid being angry as anger has very adverse effect on health. We should remember that anger is an acid that does more harm to the vessel in which it is stored.

Most of the individuals who lose temper and become angry on insignificant matters would like to overcome anger, but they do not find the way. Fortunately, Bhagavad Gita contains a perpetual advice to human being to overcome anger. Lord Krishna says in Gita that when a person contemplates upon the objects of the senses, he develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises, from anger delusion arises, from delusion arises bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool. Hence, anger has to be controlled.

What did Great American President Abraham Lincoln did to control his anger?

The great American President Abraham Lincoln is known for patience. One day his secretary of war Mr. Edwin Stanton sought his advice in one matter due to his major difference of opinion with major general of the army. The major general had accused the secretary of war in a very bad language. He charged Edwin of favoritism. Edwin complained to Lincoln.

The latter suggested that he should write to the major general a strong Letter. Edwin did so. He then showed the strongly worded letter to President Lincoln. Lincoln then asked him a pointed question, “Mr. Edwin, What are you going to do with it?” Edwin was surprised at the question. However, he said calmly, “I will send it to the major general”. Lincoln shook his head with disapproval and said, “You have not to send this letter. It is better you put it in the stove. This is what I do when I am angry. Now please burn it and write another letter”.

The best tool to conquer anger is forgiveness. It is said that by remembering an injury or insult done to us and not by forgiving the wrong – doer, we keep our wound ever green. Hence, the best remedy in the interest of our own spiritual, mental and physical health is to forgive the wrong-doers.